The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "WHY PRAY?" for Thursday, 26 May 2016 with Scripture 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in his presence: if we ask anything that accords with his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — then we know that we have what we have asked from him.16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin that does not lead to death, he will ask; and God will give him life for those whose sinning does not lead to death. There is sin that does lead to death; I am not saying he should pray about that.
-------
You do not have, because you do not ask.[James 4:2 (NRSV)]
Prayer is one way we have of serving God. It is not our means of getting God to do our will on earth but a means of getting God’s will done on earth. As we pray, God helps us find solutions to the numerous puzzling and painful situations of our lives. God’s wisdom surely exceeds ours. When we do not know what the will of God is, prayer will help us discern it.
The verse quoted above reminds us that we must ask in order to receive. If the Syrophoenician woman had not challenged Jesus, her daughter would not have been cured. (See Mark 7:24-30.) If the blind man of Jericho had not called out to Jesus, he would have remained blind. (See Luke 18:35-43.)
Just as we do not know who will respond to the message of Jesus until we share it, we may never see the results of a prayer that was not prayed. We pray to acknowledge our faith in God and to find the power to be God’s people in the world.
The Author: Francisco de Castro Maria (Luanda, Angola)
Thought for the Day: “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
Prayer: Eternal God, teach us how to pray as we should and according to your will. May you be glorified in our lives because we come always to you in prayer. Amen.
Prayer focus: THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY PRAYING
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment